US-Iran War: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signalled a possibility of intensifying military action against Iran, while also suggesting that the United States might no longer bear responsibility for protecting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most vital shipping routes.
In a post on Truth Social, the US President wrote, "I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so called 'Strait?' That would get some of our non-responsive 'Allies' in gear, and fast!!!"
These remarks come amid escalating tensions in the region, with the United States and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian military and energy infrastructure and Tehran retaliating through proxy forces and counterattacks across the wider West Asia region.
Oil Prices Surge Amid Strait Of Hormuz Closure
The war-driven shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz has pushed oil prices higher by 65 per cent. Instead of sending US and Israeli forces to secure the route, Trump has asked other countries, including NATO allies, to dispatch warships.
The disruption, along with production cuts by West Asian producers, has driven crude prices to a high of $119 per barrel from $72 per barrel before the conflict.
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'US Needs No Outside Help': Trump
The US President initially criticised British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to allow the US military to use British territories to launch strikes on Iran. After London later allowed access for defensive operations, Trump said Washington no longer needed British support.
He then called on British and other allies to send warships to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, when they declined, he warned NATO faced a 'very bad future'.
He later reversed course once again, returning to his earlier position that the United States required no outside help.